§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the level of accuracy is, on average, of speed cameras over the calibrated distance marked on the road. [22229]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 12 December 2001]: There is no average figure for the accuracy of speed cameras. In order to ensure their accuracy and reliability all speed cameras have to be of a type approved by the Secretary of State, after rigorous testing, before evidence from them can be used in proceedings.
Measurements of vehicle speed are made by radar or by sensors in the road. Radar displays a primary speed using several hundred measurements taken during the passage of the vehicle through its beam. It requires most of these to be within two kilometres per hour. Devices using sensors on or in the road show a primary speed which is the lower of two measurements taken between different sensor pairs. The speed is only shown when they agree within two miles per hour.
The calibrated distance marked on the road is used only to provide an independent secondary check of the primary speed measurement. The two measurements should be within 10 per cent.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been raised by fines on drivers caught speeding by speed cameras;1006W and how the money is apportioned between (a) local police forces, (b) local authorities and (c) the Home Office. [22230]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 12 December 2001]: The table gives information on the number of fixed penalties for speeding offences over the last five years where cameras have provided the evidence and the estimated revenue from fines. All the money has been paid to Her Majesty's (HM) Treasury.
Fixed penalties Estimated revenue (£ million) 1995 170,000 6.8 1996 212,600 8.8 1997 288,600 11.5 1998 338,800 13.6 1999 423,000 16.9 Notes:
1. Automatic cameras from 1995 until 1998, all camera types for 1999.
2. Estimate based on number of fixed penalty notices accepted for payment at £40 each from 1995 to 1999 for England and Wales.
3. Figures for 2000 not yet available.
From April 2000 eight partnerships, comprising local police forces, local authorities, highways authorities and magistrates courts have been piloting a new 'netting off' scheme. This allows the fixed penalty revenue from speed and red-light traffic cameras to be re-invested to fund additional camera enforcement.
Under the scheme, local magistrates courts within a partnership collect all fixed-penalty notice and fine revenue from offenders. The element to be netted off goes to the partnership's Local Authority, which acts as treasurer for the scheme, and distributes the funds to each of the partners on the basis of invoiced spend. Any revenue not used for camera enforcement goes to HM Treasury. The Home Office receives no money.
In August the Government announced the national roll-out of the netting off scheme, and a further seven partnership areas joined the scheme in October 2001.
§ Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what degree of tolerance to speed is allowed by the speed cameras; and whether this differs between counties. [22228]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 12 December 2001]: Speed cameras indicate whether or not a driver may be exceeding the speed limit. The enforcement of speed limits is an operational matter for chief officers of police. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) published guidelines on speed enforcement thresholds in February 2000 to support a transparent and consistent approach, while recognising that not all speeding offences are the same. The police retain discretion to take account of the particular circumstances of any individual speeding incident.
The thresholds guidelines are available on the ACPO website, at www.acpo.police.uk.